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Peninsular Thinking A conversation about Bremerton, Port Orchard, Poulsbo, Silverdale, Bainbridge Island, Kingston, Manchester, Seabeck, Southworth, Suquamish, Belfair, Keyport, Olalla, Bangor, Hansville, Indianola, Port Gamble, Allyn, Port Ludlow, Gig Harbor and every once in a while something about the good folks who don't have the good fortune to live here.

Snowplows in July

With weather in the 70s and 80s, sunny with the
occasional summer thunderstorm, snow and ice may be the last
things on our minds. But when frigid, dark days close in on us, we
can take comfort from knowing that four of Kitsap County’s snowplow
blades now sport works of art created by local schoolchildren.

Students from Manchester, Brownsville, Green Mountain and
Breidablik elementary schools were selected by county public works
officials in May from among 14 competing schools to decorate the
plow blades. The contest was modeled after similar competitions in
other jursidictions around the United States. Teachers used
the art project as a teaching opportunity, according to Anne
Giantvalley, a teacher at Manchester Elementary. The students got a
field trip to the public works department. They submitted drawings,
then the classes involved voted on their favorite designs, which
were chosen for transfer to the snow removal equipment. When it
came time to paint, the county brought the blank canvass blades to
each school.

“Our students learned about design and had to work
collaboratively to complete the painting in a limited time in some
inclement weather too,” Giantvalley said. “Students also had the
opportunity to see the truck bring the blade and unload it – quite
fascinating.”